| If you're married, your spouse is probably the most | | | | The last thing your spouse needs to worry about if |
| important person in your life. You and your spouse | | | | something unexpected happens to you is arguing |
| depend on each other for many things, from sharing | | | | over your assets. Yet while most states take steps |
| chores to making your joint finances work. From | | | | to protect your spouse even if you fail to do so |
| being there to support you when you need it to | | | | yourself in a will, not all states give your spouse the |
| helping you raise your family, your spouse selflessly | | | | flexibility to take full control of the family finances |
| gives you his or her love and care. | | | | after your death. By explicitly giving your spouse |
| Too many people, however, fail to consider fully all | | | | power over your assets, you can help ensure that |
| of the financial risks that most couples face. With | | | | your spouse will do everything necessary to guide |
| families increasingly having to rely on paychecks from | | | | your family through any tough times. |
| both spouses to make ends meet, an unexpected | | | | 3. Talk about investing. |
| tragedy can put you in a world of hurt. Yet by taking | | | | With many couples, only one spouse actively invests |
| just a few steps to protect your spouse, you can | | | | the family money. This works fine unless something |
| make sure that no matter what happens, your | | | | happens to the family's financial manager. If you're |
| spouse will be able to carry on even if you can't | | | | the one managing your family's investments, make |
| keep giving your full support. | | | | sure your spouse has at least a working knowledge |
| 1. Get some insurance. | | | | of everything you're doing. Whether your investment |
| To your family, you're irreplaceable. Whether or not | | | | strategy primarily uses ETFs like SPDR Trust (AMEX: |
| you earn money for the work you do, your family | | | | SPY) and iShares Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) or you |
| will have a difficult time getting by without your | | | | own individual stocks, your spouse should know |
| contribution toward its well-being. Although insurance | | | | enough about what you're doing to be able to keep |
| benefits can't take away the grief your loved ones | | | | things going for a few months without constant |
| will feel, the money they receive can help them avoid | | | | attention. Without your help, your spouse may make |
| the financial difficulties that often follow tragic events. | | | | crucial mistakes that you could easily have avoided. |
| But don't let the myriad options confuse you. A | | | | When you married your spouse, you promised to do |
| combination of term life, disability, and long-term-care | | | | everything you could for him or her. When it comes |
| insurance may help your spouse keep everything | | | | to financial planning, protecting your spouse requires |
| under control during trying circumstances. | | | | just a little effort -- but that effort can make all the |
| 2. Write a will. | | | | difference for your family's future. |